scare tactics, misinformation and little else

I am posting this amazing letter that appears in one of our local papers today (Foster's). It was written by a Newmarket tax payer and parent Craig Dionne. He is spot on in all of his statements. As a side note, Craig has since received a private message on Facebook telling him that "calling them out on the BLS example and $79 million bond was unfair." They hate it when they are proved wrong in their lies.

Wednesday, February 19, 2014

This letter is in response to a mailer I received from an organization called “Newmarket Citizens for Responsible School Solutions.” The letter, which was sent to most, if not all of the homes in Newmarket, was filled with scare tactics, misinformation and little else.

First off, I am not aware of any group called “New School at Any Cost.” People who are in favor of a new school have been responsible about the financial impact, even asking Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Jim Hayes, to visit and reduce the cost of the plan to make it more attainable and achievable for our small town. As a result, the cost of the facility was reduced by $5 million.

The mailer talks about Boston Latin School (BLS) and how it is considered one of the finest public high schools in the country despite having a building that is over 90 years-old. Through my 20+ years in college admissions, I am well acquainted with BLS so I know how they are so successful.

In the late 1990s, Boston Latin School was in a position to lose their accreditation through the New England Association of Schools in Colleges (NEASC), much like the situation Newmarket is facing today. Also like Newmarket, NEASC’s major concerns at Boston Latin were its inadequate facilities. Rather than risk de-accreditation, the people at Boston Latin spent over $50 million on capital improvements, which is a higher amount than Newmarket is planning on spending on our new school. BLS added a three-story art wing, a new main entrance, a 12,500 square foot library/media center, and a new dining hall, among other improvements. So, thank you for bringing up Boston Latin, as it’s a clear example of the correct way to handle a facility crisis. And, when the facilities were updated, they saw an increase in interest and standardized test scores.

To mention an inaccurate figure of $79 million in bonded debt is completely irresponsible and is a deliberate way to scare those that haven’t been following the school issue. The bonded amount is $45.1 million and no more than that. If you buy a house for $200,000 and finance it for 30 years at 5% you don’t tell everyone you bought a $386,511 house. You bought a $200,000 house. We are not taking out a $79 million bond. We are taking out a $45.1 million bond.

Another point that’s troubling about this letter is that it was not signed, and no one has taken ownership for its contents. It’s the law that any political mailers, signs or other materials need to list the names and addresses of the chairpeople taking responsibility for its content. I will be following this up with the Attorney General’s Office. The vote YES side is playing by the rules. The NO side should do so, as well.

What bothers me the most about this mailer is that the writer or writers state that they know the school needs updating and that they want to bring the school up to current standards. But, they vaguely suggest the need for a solution, and don’t share any concrete ideas for what their proposed solution would be. We have explored and exhausted a variety of options over the past decade. The only viable option is a new school.

The State Fire Marshall tells us our building is not safe. NEASC tells us we will lose accreditation without a new building. NEASC accreditation is critical. Ninety-six percent of all high schools in New England are accredited. Not being accredited will have a harmful effect on our students, our school and our town. The New Hampshire DOE tells us that 90% of our building is not up to current standards. The people of Newmarket have the power to solve these problems. We can build a safe school that’s up to code and meets current standards. We can settle an emotional debate that our town has faced for more than a decade. And, in creating a new, safe, educationally appropriate school, we can also increase our homes’ values, attract new business and new families to our town, and enjoy a variety of other benefits. All we have to do is vote YES on March 11.

Craig Dionne

WELL DONE CRAIG!!

VOTE YES ON MARCH 11TH!

that mule is not drinking

No I have not changed my mind on the school issue in our town. But I wanted to show you what the "vote no group" is putting up in our fair town.

One can take an intellectual leap and figure out these signs are being distributed by the group calling themselves Newmarket Citizens for Responsible School Solutions (NCFRSS).

My first thought was one of sadness. Not only for those people who created the sign, placed the sign and are still thinking that a no vote is good for our town, but for those people who may be on the fence or uninformed and how they may be talked to by the NCFRSS. 

That is why I am part of the vote yes group. Newmarket Solutions is a group for those who can see that having a new school will help Newmarket.

You cannot force people to believe what they do cannot see. To this end, I would like to challenge each and every no vote person to take a tour of the Newmarket Junior/ Senior High School- TODAY!! It is your right as a taxpayer to check things out. You don't want to have the superintendent or the principal as a tour guide, ask for a student. Don't trust them either? How about the amazing caretaker of the building Bob French?

While on your tour... 

(there are more than these issues but let's work with these)

• Walk through those hallways, two maybe three people wide, looking at the mismatched lockers in the halls that are missing doors or cannot lock. Picture students trying to get into these lockers during the block breaks and the back up that is caused. 
• Look at the size of the classrooms that will have to hold 21-25 students in the future. 
• Check out the asbestos filled ceiling tiles, flooring and chalkboards in many of the 1965 rooms. 
• Imagine trying to get up a stairwell in the five minutes between classes when the wheelchair lift is in service and enjoy the non-stop beeping that goes along with the lift for the entire FOUR minutes it takes to go up and  FOUR minutes to go down. 
• Walk down the wood floors to the library and enjoy the peace and quiet of that room that is right next to the band room. 
• Also check out the special ed room that is located off of the library that has to hold two groups of students at the same time each learning different topics. 
• Perhaps the arts is more your style, check out the art room. It is HALF the size that is recommended by the Department of Educations size requirements. Also enjoy the warmth of that room and imagine being in there while the kiln is running. 
• Do you have to use the restrooms while on your tour? There is one set of restrooms for each floor. Six stalls for the girls in the school building- three on each floor. Boys have six urinals and two stalls total for the two floors. Prisoners have better accommodations.
• What separates the Junior and Senior high school students? A set of double doors on the second floor. 

After your tour, tell me that the building is perfectly fine. Tell me where they can add rooms for a renovation. Tell me it is not the building that determines a child's education. Tell me that fixing the fire and life safety issues will make that building something you personally are proud of having in your town.

Try it.

I will tell you that you are a liar.

Not only to me but to yourself.

VOTE YES ON MARCH 11TH!

IT IS THE ONLY OPTION FOR NEWMARKET!

dragging the mule to water (UPDATE AT BOTTOM OF POST)

** When I started this post I was angry. Extremely angry. The deliberative session was an emotionally charged event with the warrant article concerning the building of a new Junior/ Senior High School taking over an hour! Yes that was for ONE WARRANT ARTICLE! During this time both sides of the debate got up to speak. All I can say is that small town politics is anything but boring.

The anger I had at the start of this post kept increasing as I was typing which made me very frustrated and angry with myself. I had made a promise once I had left both of the Newmarket tax payers and Newmarket School Solutions Facebook group pages that I would not be sucked back into those types of debates with people who only want to instigate and who spread misinformation as a pastime.

I failed. 

I was once again trying to inform those Newmarket citizens who do not wish to be informed. They are happy with their way of thinking about how the town should handle these large expenses that are rapidly piling up on all of the tax payers. Mostly this consists of WAITING.

Because of that, I am editing my post into a less angry one.

A post I can be happy and comfortable with and try once again to keep my promise to myself. You can drag a Mule to the water, but you cannot make him drink- no matter how thirsty the poor creature is. **

The above picture is a representation of what our new school could look like. I am totally in love with it!! It looks large enough to house the students. No classes being held in the guidance office, music room (except music class), cafeteria or the halls!! It looks like it has windows that are in working order, that will keep the cold out and the warmth in. And look at that parking!! I am totally in love with the parking. Needless to say, parking has never been a big concern around these parts and it is something very valuable at both of the schools.

As you can see, it does not look like the Taj Mahal. It is two stories not three and there is no gym located in the building or an auditorium. The gym as well as the locker and weight rooms will continue to be across the street from the new building. They will be refurbished but the rest of the old school will be gone to make room for parking. (ahhh parking) There will be an assembly hall. This means only 250 of the students can attend an event at one time and the event will have to be put on twice for all the students in the building to see it. Very silly not to have an auditorium in our small town. However, it had to be removed because the 'NO' voters considered it a luxury and unnecessary. Believe me, after sitting on those wooden bleachers for THREE HOURS for the school portion of the deliberative session, I would pay extra in my taxes for an auditorium. 

It came to my attention that there is a new group of Newmarket citizens in town calling themselves, Newmarket Citizens for Responsible School Solutions (NCFRSS). I'm guessing all of us who want the new school should join since we feel a new school is a responsible school solution. Wonder if they would let us participate?

Anywho, they have produced a seven page "information packet" to pass out to Newmarket citizens. I am anxiously awaiting mine to arrive. Within these seven pages are NUMEROUS falsehoods on the school situation. Including many direct slams against both the school board and the superintendent of Newmarket. Where were these citizens during the most recent ballot filing period? I do not see their names running for any of the open positions on the school board so that they can make "responsible school solutions." 

The packet starts with a long and complicated look at the tax increases that are assumed as coming to fruition. I am not going to try to dispute the tax numbers as no one is sure as to what exactly the tax impact will be when we build the new school. There are determining factors that are out of our hands at the moment about interest rates of the bond and how long the bond will be taken out for. I will say that yes property taxes will go up, am I happy about it? Nope not in the least BUT I would rather my taxes go up and I have something to show for it than them going up and having the building closed by the fire marshal at the beginning of the September 2015 school year because once again this town does not look further than tomorrow and their wallets.

Yes I do know we need to do something with our water treatment plant (which has been pushed to the back burner for over ten years) as well as the dam that needs either replacing or removal -both of these projects will increase our taxes (water treatment plant only affecting those with town sewer/ water), neither one for as long as a school bond but don't let those facts get in the way. 

To keep voters from approving the new Junior/ Senior High School construction warrant article, the elementary school is being thrown out as a reason not to spend the money at the other building. The problems at the elementary school include the building being overcrowded and needing maintenance. Yes it is true that it is overcrowded, however it has been since it was built: the kindergarten wing needed to be added shortly after construction was completed, the sixth grade was moved to the Junior/ Senior High because there was not enough room to house those students within the elementary school, there are three portables in the back of the school now for Special Ed and two fifth grade classrooms as there is not enough space within the building. This could have been a simple fix IF the voters had not nickled and dimed the plans to the bare minimums. Insisting that the need for a second story would never be needed so do not construct the building for that possibility. I cannot be the only one who sees that this lack of future planning has hurt Newmarket more than increased taxes could.

I am going to pull a few parts from the NCFRSS packet that I would like to reply to. I hope that every Newmarket resident who is eligible to vote- does their own research on all the issues for both the town and the school side and gets out to the polls on March 11. Vote what YOU feel is best for the town. 

"Only the barest amount of maintenance has been executed over the past several years, ensuring that the school became more and more of a fire and life safety concern and an inadequate environment for our children."

(taken from page 3 of the NCFRSS packet)

The Newmarket Citizens for Responsible School Solutions is correct on this account. But let us look at the real reason this has happened. They are implying that the school board and superintendent are purposely withholding doing maintenance on the building. This is untrue. Monies that SHOULD have gone into maintaining the building had to be cut due to the town's Budget Committee cutting the school's operating budget. The school board had to make the difficult decision to cut the maintenance budget so that teachers and staff would not lose their jobs and affect the quality of education for the students. Again saving money does not always equal the best answer to a situation.

"There is no doubt that Newmarket students would find it more convenient and more comfortable in a local new school."

(taken from page 5 of the NCFRSS packet)

I guess they are saying that they do not care that our students are inconvenienced or uncomfortable in the current building. 

"Take a look at our surrounding communities. No one is building a new school. In fact, those that have in recent years are begging for more students so they can afford to operate efficiently. For example, both Durham and Epping school districts have encountered huge operating costs that have required programs to be cut and staff reduced, and had them look to receive new students from other districts."

(taken from page 5 of the NCFRSS packet)

The two school districts listed have been approached by Newmarkets' school board and superintendent asking for them to take our high school students either as a tuition agreement or as a co-op agreement. Both districts have voted NO to having Newmarket students added to their student population. To keep going out and asking these same school districts because it has been a few years, seems to me to be a large waste of time and money. 

"In conclusion, let's root for our kids, let's provide them with a safe and conducive environment to learn- whether that be here or with one of our neighbors. And let's give them an example of how caring adults can act affordably and responsibly." 

(taken from page 6 of the NCFRSS packet.)

I totally agree with this. We need to provide our students with a safe environment in which to learn. Unfortunately it will not be with any of the neighboring towns. 

Newmarket cannot afford to keep looking at others to solve OUR problems that have been created by being short sighted and unwilling to spend monies at the time, or now. 

"We are facing a self-imposed dilemma as the result of imprudence and negligence over the past several years. But, it's not too late to correct our course and do what's right for our children and their future."

(taken from page 6 of the NCFRSS packet)

YES!! YES!! YES!!

Our school situation is a self-imposed dilemma that is a direct result of the voters being uninformed, misinformed and/ or only voting with the current years budget in their minds. We, as a town, need to make a very difficult decision in order to save our small town, our locally owned businesses, and our families- those with and without children. 

Please vote YES on warrant article #1 for the construction of a new Junior/ Senior High School on March 11, 2014.

*** UPDATE ***

Found that the NCFRSS has a 'website' if that is what you want to call it.

www.ncfrss.com

The only problem is that the only link on the page takes you to a Rick Astley YouTube video. Not sure what that says about this group. updated on February 27, 2014

more to come

I am currently in the process of writing another post concerning our Junior/ Senior high school situation and it is going to be a doozy.

While at the deliberative session on Saturday, crammed into the gym bleachers for three hours, it became apparent that there are more people with the understanding that we cannot keep passing the blame and we need to do something as a town to fix this situation we are currently in. And for that I am very happy.

However, there are those people who do not want to do anything. Nothing. Just let things keep going as they are. They are using scare tactics and inflated tax rates to convince others that our taxes will soon be $100.00/ $1000.00 in the next two years. And that will not include the dam removal/ construction, water treatment plant or the new water line from the well to the main part of town.

There was an "information packet" being handed out by these town folks at the deliberative session which is   twisted "information" to suit their agenda. Many times in the packet there are statements that the school board/ superintendent have failed to do anything to help the tax payers of Newmarket and are only seeking to build a new school. 

The saddest part of that packet? It was organized by a member of one of the towns committees. Pretty sad that this person cannot go to a school board meeting and discuss like an adult their concerns, instead they distribute a seven page packet and hide behind a group called Newmarket Citizens for Responsible School Solutions. 

I am guessing that this packet came into being as a last ditch effort of this group because they can see that it is not going to be an easy NO vote like it has been in the past. That the people of Newmarket are not going to continue to go merrily along like they have in the past. That we can see the cost of doing nothing has cost each and every tax payer thousands and thousands of dollars over the years with the only thing to show for it is a crumbling school which is over capacity. The old way of ignoring problems will not solve these problems. Previous votes in Newmarket have gotten us to this place, and it is not a happy place to be. We are ready for a change.

i am alive!

Yup it has been forever since I have managed to get to my blog and try to catch up with things. After the Disney trip it was a very quick paced end of the school year crunch time. Last minute field trips and parties and just plain fun enjoying the spring sun (in between all the rain clouds). The end of school was bittersweet for Alex as he was totally smitten with Mrs. Butler this year. But he is very excited to be entering second grade!! We are hoping that seventh grade is much better than sixth grade for Kira. We have started prepping already and have all our supplies and managed to pick up some new clothes as well for her.

Summer vacation is slipping by so quickly. The first three weeks were nice for the kids as they got to spend their time hanging with my parents. Always a great time for them. And for hubby and me. We ate out A LOT! Went shopping at IKEA, slept in and totally enjoyed ourselves. Then the work began. You know you have to put that furniture together from IKEA??! It was lots of fun and I am very pleased with how the playroom now looks with the furniture we picked up last year. I need to snap some pictures and share. We also picked up a new desk for Alex as his was becoming the catch all of his room as well as it was a tad too tiny for him. He loves his new desk. Happy mommy.

I also spent time cleaning my office. Oh man the amount of papers that were in here that did not need to be here and other miscellaneous items. Glad they are gone. I also moved my printer/ scanner so that perhaps I can do a better job with the scanning of school work this year. I was so proud of myself for being all caught up a couple years back. Well, not so much anymore. It is a huge pile which I did manage to organize by year and child. I need a few alone minutes to start the scanning/ sorting/ tossing process. It will happen as I really want that file case off of my floor. I have run into it with my little piggie a few too many times already. :(

Now I am trying to go through all my pictures to figure out what I need to print for my Project Life album. I am ashamed to admit I have not had one single picture printed for 2013! I have taken a ton of pictures, just nothing printed. I haven't even set up the album! Hoping to correct that this week. Cross your fingers!!

Off to work on dinner for the family. They somehow always need to be fed. Not sure what is up with that.

hole in the smile

Yup it happened. Alex worked that tooth until it popped out while he was at school. Such a brave boy. Much more than his mom or his sister!! Look at that smile!!

I was volunteering in his classroom so I was able to snap this picture of him wearing his tooth necklace from the nurse. He was so proud of himself. I am thinking the others around the new tooth don't stand a chance of being around for long as the new tooth is pretty darn big!! I think we will have many visits from the tooth fairy in our future. And don't forget to look at that terrible bedhead he has!! oh my. You would never know I did run a comb through his hair before school!!

First tooth = $5 and a set of mini Muggs in Captain America and Red Skull. He was happy so that is what is important. :)

May the holes in your life be filled with happiness!

first day of school 2012

The first day of school comes very bright and early this year for us. And to tell the truth, it was not so bright when I had to get up to get moving. Did not like it one bit. Nope not at all. I would like my summer sleeping schedule back please.

Kira was a bit nervous that day but we tried to keep things light and fun. It took us about five tries to get this photo. She kept making silly smile faces. Yup... she is that tall!! She grew a half inch from July to August! Crazy bean sprout.

All set for sixth grade. Love her new LL Bean backpack! And it was packed FULL for the first day.

An hour after dropping my baby girl at the Junior/ Senior High School, I got to drop off my baby boy for his first day of first grade!! He was so excited!!

He wanted to get in the van so bad and didn't want to wait for pictures.

Last one before heading in the gym to wait for the bell. First grade looks good on him!!

End of the day for Kira and her BFF! These two never take a bad picture.

All in all we survived. Alex is totally loving his new class and teacher. Kira is adjusting to life as a sixth grader. She is loving the fact she has different kids in her classes and not stuck with the 'difficult' ones for the whole year. The best thing so far... she wants to eat food in the cafeteria! They have a fresh sandwich option. That will save me a boatload of time in the mornings.

May the morning light be sunny and bright... but not too early for you!

artist in the spotlight

Going back in time here. Not too far but not today either. At the elementary school, the art teacher posts three artists in the spotlight on the bulletin boards near her room. It's always fun to see the kids work and how proud they are to have their art showcased. Kira had been trying to get featured since first grade but hadn't really seen it through. They have to have four or five art pieces complete to be showcased. After that I am not totally sure on the rules, but she had not made it a big issue.

That is until she realized that she was in fifth grade and wouldn't be back for another year to try. That's good motivation. She was finally an artist in the spotlight. Here are her works of art.

She is loving working with just pencil and paper. No color. But her details are amazing!

This was the picture used for her display.

And here she is in front of her artwork. So cute!! Very proud of my little girl and her amazing talent. She has got to get it from hubby since I can't draw stick figures. While she has been on vacation, hubby and I have picked her up a couple of sketch notebooks and some drawing pencils. Hopefully this will keep her motivated and working with her talent. I love my girl!

boston field trip through kira's eyes (photo heavy)

On the fifth grade field trip to Boston (June 12th) I let Kira use my point and shoot while I had my big camera. I thought it would be fun to see what she was looking at while we were walking around. She caught some great scenes. She really has a good eye for taking pictures. I was happily impressed with what she took. I'll save my pictures for another post. For now... enjoy walking around Boston's Freedom Trail with an eleven year old girl and her classmates.

This was our tour guide while on our walk. He was a ton of fun.

I totally missed this. But my amazing daughter found it!

Really pigeons?? oh well... this is what she was looking at.

Looking down from the top of the Bunker Hill monument. All 294 steps later.

View from the top of the monument. She did a good job with these next two.

Coming down from the top.

One of the small windows going down.

The original Bunker Hill Monument that is in the center of the present day one.

Bunker Hill monument.

Pretty neat, don't you think?? Guess I should hand her the camera more. That way I might be in more pictures than I presently am.